Muslim Holidays

A Muslim is a follower of the religion of Islam. There are over 1.4 billion Muslims worldwide, divided among three major groups: Sunni, Shici and Khariji. The word Muslim means one who submits and implies complete submission to the will of God (Allah). Adherent of the religion founded by Prophet Mohammed in the year 610.

Muslim New Year

The Muslim New Year occurs on Muhurram, the first day of the first month. This day is remembered as the day of Muhammad. Shi'a and Sunni Muslims do not celebrate the New Year. On this day many people give and receive gifts. The date of Muhurram varies because the solar calendar is 11 to 12 days longer than the Islamic lunar calendar.

Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month for the calendar of Islam. The main part of Ramadan involves fasting during the day. During the day, eating, drinking and having sex is prohibited. Fasting is supposed to bring you closer towards God and away from worldly things.

There are many exceptions for people who do not have to fast during Ramadan, including children who have not gone through puberty, pregnant or menstruating women, the elderly, diabetics or other people for whom it would be dangerous if they fasted. If the person's illness is not for a prolonged period of time, they have to make up the days of fasting on Ramadan they missed before the next one. If the person's illness is long-term or permanent, they should give food to a poor person for every day they miss. If a person has sex between sunrise and sunset during Ramadan, they have to fast for 60 more days.

Day of Ashura

Ashura is in the month Muhurram on the tenth day. It represents the Remembrance of Muhurram. Muslim's recognize Ashura as when Noah's ark came to rest after the great flood.

Some Shi'a Muslims go to Karbala in Iraq to what is called Mashhad al-Husayn. They go there on Ashura to visit the tomb of Husayn to mourn his death.

In the tradition of Sunni, Muhammad fasted during Ashura in Mecca. When Muhammad observed the Jewish people fasting during Yom Kippur, he then made it mandatory for all Muslims to fast.

Since the Sunni and Shi'a schism, there has been much violence between these two groups during the holiday. For example in 2004, the pilgrimage to Karbala made by the Shi'a was bombed, and people were killed and injured.

Laylat al-Qadr

Laylat al-Qadr celebrates the time when Muhammad first saw the whole Qur'an. Since the true date is very unclear, it is recommended to celebrate all the possible nights of the holiday. Because of this night's importance, Muslims try harder to do good deeds and give more worship to God.

For those who can, they spend the final 10 days of Ramadan in a mosque. They pray, read and recite the Qur'an, and remember God.

Isra and Mi'raj

This holiday is about the journeys of Muhammad. Isra is what Muslims refer to as the night Muhammad came to Jerusalem from Mecca.

This event was followed by Mi'raj, when Muhammad went into heaven. This is described as when Gabriel gave him Buraq, a horse with wings. Muhammad then led some prophets into prayer and then flew off to heaven. When Muhammad went to heaven, he met God, or Allah. Here, Allah told him to pray 50 times a day with all Muslims. Moses convinced Muhammad to tell Allah to make the number smaller, because they would never be able to pray 50 times a day. Allah agreed for them to pray five times every day.

Mid-Sha'ban

In the month of Sha'ban on the 15th day, Sha'ban is celebrated. The Shi'a recognize this day as Muhammad al-Mahdi's birthday.

Sunnis worship this day as the time when Allah assigns specific destinies that will come to all people within the year. The significance of this event is to remember what Muhammad did in Mid-Sha'ban: He prayed for those who passed away at night. Today, Muslims honor Muhammad by praying at night and fasting in the day.

The sacred text of Muslims, called the Qur'an, is recited. People feed the needy or pray for them in order to gain the acceptance and gratitude of those who have passed away. To celebrate, Muslims set off fireworks, cook and eat sweets.